Carlena Allen
Olympia,WA
Summary
Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent social service relations and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact agency success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance staff engagement and promote professional performance.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operations Manager
DSHS Finance Service Division
04.2023 - Current
- Developing internal and external communications and communication strategies for the Division to ensure that leaders, staff, partners, and customers alike receive and share knowledge and information in support of the DSHS and FFA mission, vision and values.
- Developing internal and external customer relations, long-range plans and Division-wide strategic initiatives as assigned by the Senior Director or DSHS FFA Assistant Secretary/Chief Financial Officer.
- Serve as an expert consultant to the Division partnering with the management teams, frontline staff, and stakeholders regarding organizational development and process improvement, team performance, as well as employee personal and professional development.
- Facilitate/lead strategic planning discussions with FSD Executive Management Team to develop strategic and business plan(s).
- Serve as Division Lean/Process Improvement Coordinator by implementing continuous improvement methods, including Lean principles and methodologies across the Division by supporting the executive and Divisional level strategies to promote the use of measurable process improvement using Lean principles.
- Serve as Project Manager for a variety of Division level projects and collaborate on agency/administration projects as needed.
- Develop and implement leadership development opportunities for staff in support of Division succession planning and staff retention. Enhance the effectiveness of employees through implementation of professional development opportunities.
- Manage high level assignments/special projects within the Division/Administration/and Department in accordance with goals and objectives of the Department. Lead projects to ensure that assignments/projects are completed accurately, timely, and that all necessary parties have been included and/or communicated with.
- Directly supervises and directs the work of two Management Analyst 5s within the Division.
Social and Health Program Consultant-4, Region 3 Housing Program Manager
DSHS Aging and Long-Term Care Administration
11.2019 - 04.2023
- Collect and manage large amounts of data regarding subsidy and service utilization data. Track and manage a high volume of subsidy paperwork and timely communication pertaining to unit leasing and client transitions across multiple agencies.
- Work in cross-sector partnerships with other state agencies and community providers to braid services and resources to form wraparound services.
- Partner with stakeholders to offer trainings and educational material on non-Long Term Supports and Services that affect housing world (e.g. legal advocacy, behavioral health system and supports, affordable housing and eviction prevention resources through other state and federal opportunities).
- Develop and maintain statewide Housing Team materials, policies, and procedures, ensuring they are updated and relevant. Ensure practices outlined are being understood and followed at all levels of the agency and with stakeholders.
- Developing and expanding housing services and resources necessary for successful transition and community tenure of people leaving nursing facilities and other institutional, residential, or unstable settings.
- Be responsive to requests\complaints\suggestions from clients, providers, constituents, and requests from upper management for program briefings, analysis, priorities as needed.
Housing Stability Case Manager
Catholic Community Services Drexel House Program
05.2017 - 11.2019
- Conduct strengths-based assessment of housing barriers, and work in partnership with residents to develop Housing Stability Plans for maintaining permanent housing with vulnerable adults in Thurston County.
- Provided ongoing counseling to help patients deal with conditions and processes.
- Track participant activities and ensure timely and accurate collection of program data as outlined by the management team.
- Collect and input resident data into HMIS as required.
- Assist management team members with ongoing continuous quality improvement to enhance program operations, including problem solving, helping to develop program systems or procedures, or participating in team workgroups.
- Maintain knowledge of Thurston County resources and provide appropriate referrals (using a warm-handoff, person-centered approach) to address barriers to stable housing, employment and self-sufficiency (i.e., medical, mental health, chemical dependency, domestic violence, education, immigration, in-home health care, adult protective services, legal issues etc.)
- Participate in multidisciplinary case staffing meetings as needed with local behavioral and mental health agencies to develop a behavior/mental health support plans for high-risk/high-needs clients to maintain their housing.
- Act as a primary staff person to deal with crisis situations, problematic behavior that puts housing at risk, etc.
- Provide training for the Case Management Team incorporating Trauma-Informed Care.
Women's Case Manager
Vision House Transitional Housing Program
04.2016 - 05.2017
- Maintain Transitional Housing file for residents that includes verification of homelessness, verification of income and income source, and documentation of case plan.
- Meet weekly with residents to assess client strengths, goals and barriers to permanent housing and develop a comprehensive client-driven case plan with both short-term and long-term goals to self-sufficiency.
- Assures the safety of each property through frequent tours of the facilities inspecting for any hazards or repair needs.
- Collects data necessary to meet funding requirements and statistical reports.
- Evaluates and adjusts case plans as needed and provides written warnings with consequences if satisfactory progress is not being met.
- Provide advocacy-based information and referral, including life skills, independent living, social skills, budgeting, jobs/education, crisis intervention and permanent housing search.
- Developed and implemented transition services plan to facilitate movement from transitional housing to permanent housing within the community.
Special Housing/Community Service Caseworker
Tacoma Housing Authority
06.2011 - 04.2016
- Conduct a needs assessment for each family and/or individual on caseload and develop an individual training and services plan that identifies needs and the actions necessary to meet the goals established for the client
- Assist with planning, leading, developing, coordinating and implementing, policies and procedures for the pilot program.
- Maintain knowledge of Pierce County resources and provide appropriate referrals (using a warm-handoff, person-centered approach) to address barriers to stable housing, employment and self-sufficiency (i.e., medical, mental health, chemical dependency, domestic violence, education, immigration, legal issues etc.)
- Coordinated multi-disciplinary teams with teachers, administrative staff, parents, and community partners to provide successful outcomes for the program.
- Provide general information to interested parties regarding subsidized housing programs including eligibility requirements, application process, waiting list status, and housing policies.
- Maintain a highly proficient knowledge of detailed federal leased housing regulations, specifically, Housing Choice Voucher, Special Purpose Voucher and Public Housing Vouchers including knowledge eligibility requirements, application process, waiting list status, and housing policies.
Family Support Specialist
Kent Youth and Family Services
09.2003 - 06.2011
- Conducting interviews to establish the nature and extent of concerns/issues, provide assistance in developing goals and plan, and determine appropriate referral services/Options.
- Provide outreach low-income communities, community leaders as organizations for the purpose of recruiting families for Head Start, developing resources, and building partnership with community members.
- Recruits selected and enrolled eligible children for the purpose of maintaining full enrollment and serving families most in need of services according to federal guidelines.
- Maintains a variety of manual and electronic documents, files and records (program participation, contact sheets, family file, Child Plus computer program, agency referrals, etc.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Collaborated with community program leaders and advocates to make resources accessible to those in need.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Education
Master of Science - Clinical Psychology
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN01.2022
Master of Science - Organizational Leadership & Change
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs, CO01.2019
Bachelor of Art - Social Work
Alabama A&M University
Huntsville, Alabama01.1994
Skills
- Workflow analysis
- Lean process visualization
- Leadership in strategic planning
- Organizational change management
- Data-informed strategy development
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Operational efficiency enhancement
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Diversity awareness
- Innovative Problem-Solving
- Project Management
- Leadership in trauma-informed practices
- Family-focused approach
- Workforce Development
Certification
- Prosci Certified Change Practitioner: 2024
- Prosci - Prosci Change Management - Fort Collins, CO
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc., 2024
Timeline
Operations Manager
DSHS Finance Service Division
04.2023 - Current
Social and Health Program Consultant-4, Region 3 Housing Program Manager
DSHS Aging and Long-Term Care Administration
11.2019 - 04.2023
Housing Stability Case Manager
Catholic Community Services Drexel House Program
05.2017 - 11.2019
Women's Case Manager
Vision House Transitional Housing Program
04.2016 - 05.2017
Special Housing/Community Service Caseworker
Tacoma Housing Authority
06.2011 - 04.2016
Family Support Specialist
Kent Youth and Family Services
09.2003 - 06.2011
Master of Science - Organizational Leadership & Change
Colorado Technical University
Bachelor of Art - Social Work
Alabama A&M University
Master of Science - Clinical Psychology
Capella University
Similar Profiles
LaTonya AbramLaTonya Abram
Rehabilitation Technician at DSHS Division of Vocational RehabilitationRehabilitation Technician at DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Janis PaetzJanis Paetz
Disability Determination Adjudicator - V – Quality Assurance Specialist at DSHS/Division of Disability Determination ServicesDisability Determination Adjudicator - V – Quality Assurance Specialist at DSHS/Division of Disability Determination Services
MOHAMMAD ANWARUL KARIMMOHAMMAD ANWARUL KARIM
Executive Director- Standard Setting at Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Bangladesh, Finance Division, Ministry of FinanceExecutive Director- Standard Setting at Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Bangladesh, Finance Division, Ministry of Finance
Alohilani KalamaAlohilani Kalama
Human Resources Administrative Assistant at Nisqually Red Wind CasinoHuman Resources Administrative Assistant at Nisqually Red Wind Casino
Andreo QuilesAndreo Quiles
Janitorial Floor Lead at Lacey Train StaffingJanitorial Floor Lead at Lacey Train Staffing